Older adults can often be among the groups that are left behind in the technological divide. It can result in exclusion, lower quality of life, stigmatisation. Generally older adults have a reduced participation & use rate for technology. There are several factors that act as effective deterrents and barriers to entry for older adults within the information and digital economy. For senior citizen home care services, the technological divide poses challenges & opportunities, enabling integration and participation can significantly improve care outcomes and process/services, as well as the quality of life for individuals.
· A perspective on technology exists where individuals see it as only a merchandise for gifting and not utilisation: Often, the majority of senior citizens and the elderly only see technology as something to be gifted and used for children and their amusement. Artha is a provider of senior citizen care services.
· Technology is not integrated in many retirement homes: Technology may need to be fully integrated in many retirement homes and assisted living solutions. This can result in a living environment where technology use, activity, and knowledge are limited—furthering and widening the gap between the elderly/senior citizen population and digitisation. Many retirement homes and assisted living environments possibly lack digital engineering features and digitisation, furthering the divide between older people and technology. In most retirement homes, there has not been that much of a practical trickle-down effect for various technologies; these spaces would rarely consist of anything more than a television and intercom systems, are among some of the features embedded in luxury old age homes in Gurgaon.
· Digital engineering is in its infancy within the public sphere. At the same time, individuals use terms like large language models, chatbots, and regenerative trained transformers; many exotic and widely transformative technologies have yet to be spread and made available at the grassroots level for individuals. Penetration at grassroots levels remains low or marginal. Artha is among the renowned service providers for five star old age homes in Gurgaon.
· Seniors may feel they need help to utilise the technology to its whole or high level of potential: Many seniors may be actively resistant to embracing or using technology, as they may feel that they cannot utilise it to its whole or high level. This occurs among many individuals and is not relegated to seniors. They may feel inadequately prepared or need more knowledge, training, abilities, and experience technologies required to exploit them to their full potential. This can be a crucial consideration for apathetic attitudes or passivity towards embracing or training on technology.
· Seniors often suffer from health challenges and co-morbidities that prevent integration with technology: There are many senior citizens and those within retirement and assisted living that face severe health challenges and co-morbidities that effectively pose several challenges in utilising technology. They may also be depressed or lack motivation as a result. Furthermore, for individuals struggling with health challenges, there is often an underlying theme that their efforts may be better utilised elsewhere, and learning may not be of active consideration at the moment. Significant and profound transformations occur within seniors, making it a complex and challenging period for these individuals. Furthermore, the prevalence of depression and debilitating conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and disabilities also effectively place a severe roadblock for seniors attempting to understand, learn and use technology.· Financial inability and hurdles: The senior and elderly sections of the population may not be financially well off or cannot purchase technology and various technology services. Among the senior and elderly population in India, there aren’t large sections that possess the requisite savings or income to buy or subscribe to technology services. Many of these are complicated in terms and agreements and expensive, with little to no financing options available that can compound and act as a barrier to entry for many of those struggling with financial constraints. Artha is a functioning daycare center for old age.
